Stag Beer: States Where It's Legal To Buy

Stag Beer was first brewed in Belleville, Illinois, and has been a staple in the Midwest since 1851. While it was once the 11th largest brewing company in the U.S., with distribution in 22 states, Stag has fallen out of popularity and is now primarily found in central and southern Illinois and parts of Missouri. However, it seems that it can be purchased online and shipped to various states, depending on local liquor laws.

Stag Beer's birthplace

Stag Beer was born in Belleville, Illinois, in 1907. The Western Brewing Company launched a naming contest for a "Special Christmas Brew", with the winner, George E. Wuller, receiving $25 in gold for the name "Stag Beer". The beer was developed in the same year, and in 1912, the Giesedieck Brothers, the company that produced Falstaff, bought the Western Brewery and Stag.

Stag Beer was produced in Belleville until the G. Heileman Brewing Co. closed the Stag brewery in 1988. The beer has since been brewed in MillerCoors plants in Milwaukee and Indiana.

In the early 1950s, Stag was sold in 22 states, with its then-owner, Griesedieck Western Brewery Co., becoming the 11th largest brewery in the country. During this time, Stag outsold Budweiser and Falstaff in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Stag Beer is currently available in parts of Arkansas, southern Minnesota, central and southern Illinois, and parts of Missouri, particularly the southeast portion of the state.

States where it's sold

Stag Beer was born in Belleville, Illinois and is now owned by Pabst Brewing Co. in Los Angeles. In the early 1950s, it was sold in 22 states, but its distribution has since decreased.

Today, Stag Beer is primarily sold in the St. Louis and Southern Illinois areas, with some sales in parts of Arkansas, Southern Minnesota, and Alabama. It is also brewed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Indiana, so it may be available in those states as well.

Stag Beer is a popular choice for many beer drinkers in central and southern Illinois and parts of Missouri, particularly in the southeast portion of the state. Its malty character and crisp American hops make it a good choice for a hot summer day and a great pairing for steak, potatoes, and gravy.

The beer has a strong following, with some drinkers considering it a "hometown beer" and a "part of life" in Middle America. Its fans appreciate its crisp, light, and refreshing taste, as well as its consistency and affordability.

Its parent company

Stag Beer, born in Belleville, Illinois, was originally produced by the Western Brewing Company in 1907. The name "Stag Beer" was submitted by a customer in a naming contest for the new brand of beer. In 1912, the Giesedieck Brothers, who also produced Falstaff Beer, bought the Western Brewery and Stag. The Griesedieck family once owned three St. Louis-area breweries: the Griesedieck Brothers Brewery, the Griesedieck Western Brewery Co. in Belleville, Illinois (producers of Stag Beer), and the Falstaff Brewing Corporation.

The Griesedieck family's brewing tradition dates back to 1766 in Stromberg, Germany, when German immigrant Anton Griesedieck brought his family's legacy to St. Louis in about 1866. He employed his four sons, including Henry Jr., Joseph "Papa Joe", and his nephew Henry L. Griesedieck, who founded the Griesedieck Western Brewery Co. The four sons established the National Brewery Co. in 1891, which became part of the Independent Breweries Company in 1907. Henry Jr. managed the IBC for four years before leaving to help his five sons found the Griesedieck Brothers Brewery Co. in 1911.

After the end of Prohibition, the heirs of Henry Jr. maintained the Griesedieck Brothers, while the heirs of Papa Joe managed Falstaff. In 1957, when the last remaining original Griesedieck Brother, Edward Griesedieck, passed away, the company was sold to their cousins at Falstaff, and production under the Griesedieck Brothers name ceased. Falstaff's peak production year was in 1966, with 6,000,000 barrels, but the company faced financial troubles and was eventually sold to Paul Kalmanovitz in 1975. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the Pabst Brewing Company acquired the Falstaff brand, and by extension, Stag Beer.

Pabst Brewing Co., based in Los Angeles, has owned the Stag brand for about 20 years, along with several other regional brands across the country, such as Old Style, Lone Star, Rainier, Olympia, and National Bohemian. Rather than operating its own brewery plants, Pabst contracts with MillerCoors to brew Pabst Blue Ribbon, Stag, and its other regional brands. Stag Beer is currently brewed in MillerCoors plants in Milwaukee and Indiana.

The beer's target audience

Stag Beer is a beverage with a long history, originating in Belleville, Illinois, and dating back to 1907. While it was once sold in 22 states, its distribution has since decreased, and it now primarily serves central and southern Illinois and parts of Missouri, Arkansas, and southern Minnesota.

The beer's malty character and smooth finish also make it a suitable companion for hearty meals like steak, potatoes, and gravy. This suggests that the target audience may include those who enjoy classic, comforting dishes and prefer beers that complement these flavors.

Stag Beer's association with the Midwest and its history is further reinforced by its name and logo, which feature a deer or stag. This imagery resonates with the region's hunting culture and traditions. The current logo, a silhouette of a deer's head, gives the beer a modern look while retaining its connection to the outdoors and the Midwest.

While the beer's distribution has narrowed over the years, it maintains a loyal following among those in its target region. The brand's focus on its heritage and connection to the Midwest creates a sense of community and loyalty among its drinkers, who view it as a beloved local beverage.

Its awards

Stag Beer has been around for over a century, and in that time, it has accumulated a number of awards and accolades. The beer was first brewed in 1907 in Belleville, Illinois, and it quickly became a regional favourite, particularly in the St. Louis area.

One of the most notable awards for Stag Beer came in 2001 when it received the Gold Medal as the Best American-Style Lager at the Great American Beer Festival. This award recognised the beer's "Golden Quality," which has been a hallmark of the brand since 1851. In addition to this prestigious award, Stag Beer has also been recognised by beer enthusiasts and experts across the United States.

Stag Beer has a rich history that is intertwined with the Belleville and St. Louis regions. At its peak in the 1950s, Stag Beer was sold in 22 states and its owner, Griesedieck Western Brewery Co., was the 11th largest brewery in the country. The beer's unique flavour, robust taste, and timeless recipe have contributed to its enduring popularity.

• Gold Medal, Best American-Style Lager, Great American Beer Festival (2001)
• Best in the Southeast Golden Ale, United States Beer Tasting Championship (multiple years)
• Best in the Southeast Nut Brown Ale, United States Beer Tasting Championship (2004, 2005)
• Best in the Southeast Oktoberfest, United States Beer Tasting Championship (2015, 2016, 2017)
• Gold Medal, Winter Scotch Ale, VEER Magazine Awards (2015, 2016)
• Gold Medal, Nut Brown Ale, AMERICAN AMBER & BROWN ALE (2015)
• Silver Medal, Imperial Stout, RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT (2016)
• Gold Medal, Nut Brown Ale, ENGLISH MILD & BROWN ALE (2016)

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